Kathryn Mulkern, 39, would eat McDonald's for breakfast and dinner, and the only variation would be when she went to Burger King for a change.

The self-confessed fast-food addict has told how she would snack on 20 McNuggets for lunch and still feel hungry.

But after a lifetime of eating fast food, Kathryn decided to turn her life around after doctors warned "her blood pressure was through the roof" and her cholesterol was terrible.

Kathryn joined Weight Watchers, now known as WW, five years ago after professionals told her she would die if she didn't lose weight.

Kathryn Mulkern before she lost weight

Since signing up to WW, Kathryn has lost a whopping 9st 5lbs and managed to maintain her size ten frame.

She said: "I have always been overweight, there isn't one photo from my childhood where I am not the big one.

"I am from an Italian and Irish background, so our diet was full of pasta and breads, it was so good for the soul but not for my body.

"As I got older, I continued eating sweets and then takeouts when I moved out of my family home.

Kathryn Mulkern shows off her incredible transformation

"It was easier to grab a McDonalds on my way to work and then on my return, I knew I was obese, but I thought if I skipped lunch then it would be OK to stuff my face on the evening."

But the impact was taking its toll both physically and mentally.

Kathryn added: "I suffered with anxiety and depression because I hated the way I looked so this would cause me to comfort eat."

In 2014 Kathryn swapped fast food for the gym and dropped down to 8st 6lbs, but has since gained muscle making her 10st 3lbs.

Karie Mulkern, 39, now works out and feels better than ever

She said: "As the weight dropped, I was shocked by what the human body was capable of and fell in love with lifting weights.

"It isn't about the number on the scale anymore for me, it is how I feel on the inside which is healthy and good.

"I feel blessed to be alive."

Kathryn's diet before:

Breakfast: Sausage and egg McMuffin with cheese, two large fries and a large fizzy drink

Dinner: 20 nuggets, large fries and soda Double whopper and large fries and soda

Evening snacks: Doughnuts/cakes/ice cream

Kathryn's diet after:

Breakfast: Black coffee and protein shake, two low fat multigrain waffles and half a cup of blueberries

Snack: Sliced cucumber and hummus

Lunch: Grilled chicken salad with light dressing balsamic

Workout and protein shake

Dinner: Salad or chicken, vegetables and cauliflower rice or fish

Friday: One doughnut